The South African Association of Political Studies (SAAPS) invites academics, professionals, and independent researchers to submit abstracts for papers, panels, and posters for its 17th Biennial Conference to be held on 10-12 September 2025 in Gqeberha. The conference will explore the paradox of "freedom" and "poverty" in post-colonial democracies across the Global South, focusing on why political gains have not translated into improved living conditions for most citizens in these countries. More broadly, the call is focused on democracy, development, and the politics of the global South. It can be approached from the various strands of political sciences, namely political theory, comparative politics, international relations, political economy, international political economy, and political sociology, as well as related disciplines such as development studies, history, economics, strategic studies, and the wider social sciences.
Free, Yet Poor: The Precarious Case of Citizens in the Democracies of the Global South.
We welcome papers, panels, and posters addressing the following questions:
Why have countries in the Global South struggled to translate democratic gains into better living conditions for the majority? For instance, over 40% of the population in countries across Africa lives below the international poverty line of $2.15 a day (World Bank, 2023).
What measures can serve as benchmarks for improving lives in democracies? In the SADC region, youth unemployment averages above 30%, with South Africa exceeding 60% (ILO, 2023).
Is democracy the best political system for fostering inclusive economies in the least developed countries? Consider the persistent global inequality where the richest 10% of the population controls 76% of the world’s wealth (Oxfam, 2023) as well as the upsurge of democratic backsliding globally in the last 10 years.
What leadership pathways can deliver better outcomes for most citizens in the countries officially designated as democracies yet performing poorly on substantive development indicators?
To what extent does the global political-economic system enable or preclude the development of inclusive economies in the Global South?
In what ways are South-South regionalisation processes in the various regions and among rising powers (BRICS) creating pathways for addressing poverty, unemployment, and inequality among participating countries or those affected by such measures?
What are the ongoing structure-agency dynamics that affect the extent to which democracies can become more inclusive in the socioeconomic sense in the affected countries?
Contributions are invited from academics and practitioners, as well as policy makers, multilateral organisations, non-profit and for-profit organisations, and agencies responsible for international development and cooperation. They should be submitted to saaps2025@mandela.ac.za by no later than the closing date.
31 March 2025: Submission of abstracts and panel proposals
15 April 2025: Confirmation to authors
5 May 2025: Registration opens
30 June 2025: Submission of full papers for special issue consideration
12 August 2025: Registration closes
Members: R2000 (if membership fees are up to date.
Non-members: R3500
Students: R500
Selected papers will be featured in a special issue publication following the conference.
Join us in Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay, for this pivotal discussion on democracy and development in the Global South!